Podcast Summary: "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" – Hour 3: Yankees Snap Skid
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Title: Yankees Snap Skid
1. Introduction
In this episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, the hosts delve deep into the New York Yankees' recent performance, analyzing the factors that led to the end of their six-game losing streak. The conversation is both analytical and passionate, reflecting the hosts' deep connection to the team and their desire for transparency and improvement.
2. Yankees' Recent Performance
Alan Hahn kicks off the discussion by highlighting the Yankees' triumphant 7-3 victory over the Angels, marking the end of their prolonged losing streak. He commends key players like Rodon, Grisham, and Goldschmidt for their home runs, emphasizing the significance of this win:
"The Yankees finally win a game for the first time in a week." [00:44]
However, Alan doesn't shy away from critiquing the team's earlier struggles:
"Last night was not good. Again not being able to get a big hit. The Volpe error Allen was disturbing." [02:07]
3. Management Communication and Team Morale
Don La Greca expresses frustration with the Yankees' management, particularly General Manager Brian Cashman. He critiques Cashman's rhetoric, feeling that it lacks substance and comes across as patronizing during the team's rough patch:
"Guys will keep fighting and working and focusing. Like, I wish he would say something of substance." [02:34]
Don further elaborates on the team's messaging, suggesting that the Yankees' corporate responses fail to address the real issues and instead deflect responsibility:
"The Yankees are really terrible about messaging. They are so corporate in their responses... We're not idiots. We know what's going on." [04:00]
Alan Hahn provides context by discussing Cashman's analytical approach and the inherent challenges in building a team geared towards long-term success:
"Brian built this team, so he's not going to criticize himself. He's going to believe ultimately I built the team. If they don't win, it's not on me." [05:30]
4. Player Highlights: Anthony Volpe
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Anthony Volpe, the Yankees' shortstop. Don empathizes with Volpe, highlighting the immense pressure he faces as a local talent filling a position once made iconic by Derek Jeter:
"Volpe's a local kid playing shortstop for the New York Yankees... he's been good. But could they have gotten a better shortstop in free agency?" [09:00]
Alan counters by acknowledging Volpe's solid performance but questions whether the Yankees missed opportunities in the free agency market:
"Volpe hasn't been bad. He's got a Gold Glove. He hit 20 home runs his rookie year." [08:00]
Both hosts agree that while Volpe has shown promise, the expectations placed upon him are immense, drawing inevitable comparisons to past legends and impacting his performance under scrutiny.
5. Team Strategy and Offensive Play
The hosts critique the Yankees' reliance on home runs as their primary offensive strategy, noting that their postseason struggles have often been tied to insufficient run manufacturing beyond homer power:
"They're so reliant on the home run. The pitching gets better. And the home runs aren't there." [14:03]
Don emphasizes the need for the Yankees to diversify their offensive strategies to avoid stagnation:
"All this stuff goes away, but it doesn't mean that when it happens for everybody out there that just wants to get mad at us because it's only June..." [15:07]
6. Insights from Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone, the Yankees' manager, shares his perspective post-victory, maintaining a positive outlook despite recent setbacks:
"It's great to win, really. There's no like panic or anything in that room." [12:01]
He attributes the team's bounce-back to improved patience and better handling of pitching:
"A little more patience... pressure them a little bit more, you know, more guys up and down, being in on the act. That was good." [13:04]
7. Closing Thoughts
As the episode progresses, the conversation shifts towards broader sports topics, including upcoming games and player drafts. However, the primary focus remains on assessing the Yankees' current state, management decisions, and player performances. The hosts advocate for more transparent and honest communication from the Yankees' front office to align fan expectations with team realities.
Don La Greca concludes with a heartfelt appeal for the Yankees to acknowledge their challenges openly:
"I cannot play like that. And that bothers me as a fan." [17:00]
Alan Hahn echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of accountability within the organization:
"It's never I screwed up. It's never, that's the problem with this organization, Peter." [17:07]
Notable Quotes
- Alan Hahn: "The Yankees finally win a game for the first time in a week." [00:44]
- Don La Greca: "The Yankees are really terrible about messaging. They are so corporate in their responses." [04:00]
- Don La Greca: "Volpe's a local kid playing shortstop for the New York Yankees." [09:00]
- Alan Hahn: "Brian built this team, so he's not going to criticize himself." [05:30]
- Aaron Boone: "It's great to win, really. There's no like panic or anything in that room." [12:01]
- Don La Greca: "I cannot play like that. And that bothers me as a fan." [17:00]
Conclusion
This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers a candid and thorough examination of the New York Yankees' recent struggles and successes. The hosts blend analytical insights with passionate fan perspectives, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the team's current dynamics and future prospects. Through their discussion, they highlight the complexities of team management, player performance pressures, and the critical need for transparent communication within a storied franchise.